Assignment 1: Discussion — Prescriptive And Descriptive Argu
Assignment 1: Discussion—Prescriptive and Descriptive Arguments Descriptions
Assignment 1: Discussion—Prescriptive and Descriptive Arguments Descriptions “describe”—they depict the “what is” of a statement. Prescriptions “prescribe”—they express the “what ought to be” of a statement. When approaching controversial or emotionally charged subjects, critical thinkers are mindful of the different roles that facts and values play in people’s judgments and the different roles they play in different kinds of judgments. This assignment will help deepen your understanding of those distinctions. To see how an issue can be approached using a descriptive or prescriptive argument, review these examples.
Descriptive and prescriptive arguments are considered in the lecture pages for Module 3. Based on your understanding of descriptive and prescriptive arguments, respond to the following: Identify a topic of interest for which arguments of different perspectives can be created. Construct one original descriptive argument and one original prescriptive argument for the topic you select. Support your arguments with scholarly references. Be sure to provide citations for your sources as well as citations for a premise you state to be a fact.
Write your initial response in a total of 200–300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Paper For Above instruction
In examining the distinction between descriptive and prescriptive arguments, it is crucial to understand their roles in shaping discourse around complex issues. For this discussion, the topic of renewable energy adoption will serve as the basis for contrasting arguments. Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, has gained prominence due to environmental concerns and the desire to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
A descriptive argument related to renewable energy could state: "In 2020, approximately 26.2% of global electricity was generated from renewable sources, a significant increase from 18.1% in 2010" (International Renewable Energy Agency [IRENA], 2021). This statement aims to present factual data about the growth in renewable energy capacity, emphasizing observable trends supported by reliable statistics. Its purpose is to describe the current state of renewable energy deployment without making any judgments about what should or ought to happen.
Conversely, a prescriptive argument might be: "Governments should prioritize investments in renewable energy technologies to accelerate their adoption, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change." This argument prescribes a course of action, asserting what ought to be done based on values and objectives such as environmental sustainability. It appeals to ethical considerations about protecting the planet and argues for policy changes grounded in normative criteria.
Understanding the distinction between these types of arguments enables critical engagement with debates about energy policies. Descriptive claims inform us about reality, while prescriptive claims guide future actions based on ethical or normative beliefs. Recognizing this difference allows policymakers and individuals to evaluate information critically and advocate effectively for change or understanding.
References
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2021). Renewable capacity statistics 2021. https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Mar/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2021